In transportation, there are four reports that most employers will request when reviewing applicants for driving positions at their company. Let’s review these primary reports you need when screening your drivers, as well as best practices when ordering them from Driver iQ, Cisive’s transportation employment screening division.

1. MVR: Motor Vehicle Records

MVR stands for Motor Vehicle Record. MVRs provide an individual’s driving history from the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in which the driver’s license is held. This record normally includes basic information such as:

● License number
● Expiration date
● Issue date
● Type of license
● Restrictions
● Driver’s name and date of birth (DOB)
● Driver’s physical characteristics

The MVR will also alert employers to accidents, violations, suspensions, vehicular crimes, DUIs (driving under the influence), or driving record points if applicable.

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that all employers conduct a pre-employment screen including an MVR in every state where a driver has held a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within the past three years. An MVR must also be requested annually as part of an employer’s annual review, to determine if the driver still meets the employer’s requirements.

Ordering an MVR is important not only for regulatory compliance, but for reducing risk, maintaining safety standards, and upholding the reputation of an organization.

Check out some best practices when ordering MVRs here.

2. CDLIS: Commercial Driver’s License Information System

CDLIS stands for Commercial Driver’s License Information System. This is a nationwide database administered by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), with information provided by state driver licensing agencies (SDLAs). This system helps ensure that each commercial driver has only one current CDL, as well as one complete driving record. The database can help employers verify a driver’s current CDL, as well as the past three CDLs the driver may have held in other states.

Based on the information returned in the CDLIS report, employers may then run a MVR report on each license returned.

A new FMCSA rule change, which took effect May 9, 2022, requires that motor carriers must look at the previous three years of licenses held by a driver (the rule used to require only one year). The CDLIS report, while not required, is crucial in helping employers ensure they are being as thorough as possible while vetting the safety of their incoming and current drivers.

Check out some best practices when ordering a CDLIS report here.

3. PRE: Previous Record of Employment

PRE stands for Previous Record of Employment. Driver iQ has a proprietary previous employment database of more than 4.3 million records, with records added daily. Some of the largest carriers in the nation share their employment records exclusively with Driver iQ. Head-to-head comparisons by Driver iQ clients have found that Driver iQ more frequently holds records on drivers who are currently churning in the industry.

Under FMCSA guidelines, transportation companies are required to verify employment history for the previous three years on those applying to operate a commercial motor vehicle. It’s also important to know if your applicants are qualified through a driver education program. In addition to employment records, the PRE report includes driver school record verification from many schools across the nation.

Check out some best practices when ordering a PRE report here.

4. PSP: Pre-Employment Screening Program

PSP stands for Pre-Employment Screening Program. It provides access to the safety records stored in FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). The MCMIS is a federal database, separate from the patchwork of MVR databases at the state level. Carriers, commercial drivers, and third-party service providers for the transportation industry can request these safety records.

It is not required to order a PSP report when hiring a new driver. However, motor carriers that use PSP see an 8% decrease in the company’s crash rate, as well as a 17% decrease in out-of-service (OOS) violations, compared to motor carriers that do not use PSP.

PSP reports may contain whether a crash was preventable or not. It may also contain whether a driver was convicted of a different charge. It may help prospective employers discover previous employment undisclosed by a driver.

A PSP report does not contain a score, although information found on a PSP will be used to determine a carrier’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score. CSA pulls roadside inspections and crash data from the previous two years.

Check out some best practices when ordering PSP reports here.

Bonus: FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse

Driver iQ can also handle your FMCSA D&A Clearinghouse requests! Beginning Jan. 6, 2023, all Drug & Alcohol results will be housed by the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Get set up with Driver iQ today to avoid a lapse in coverage.

How can Driver iQ help?

Contact Driver iQ today to build a background screening program that includes each of these components, reducing your risk and keeping your fleet safe!